Does the personal moral character of a political leader matter?
Christ-followers must answer with an emphatic Yes.
This is the teaching of Jesus who called Herod Antipas a fox because of his personal immorality (Luke 13:32).
This member of the Herod family was the ruler of Galilee, in whose territory Jesus was active. Calling him a fox was probably not saying that he was as sly as a fox, although he might well have been.
Instead, Jesus reference to a fox speaks of an unclean animal in the Israelite holiness codes. Herod Antipas was the ruler who had John the Baptist killed because he had been a persistent critic of Herod for divorcing his first wife, to marry his brothers wife with whom he was having an affair. This was the same Herod who asked his stepdaughter to dance naked for his friends. Jesus called out Herods immoral character as disqualifying him from leadership.
Those who follow Jesus should call out immoral people who aspire to leadership. When a leader cheats on his first wife with his second wife, as did Herod Antipas, let us demand that such a leader step aside. When a leader seeks revenge on his critics, as did Herod Antipas, let us call out this immoral behavior and ask them to step aside. Christian pastors should never raise hands of blessing over leaders who exhibit foxy leadership. Instead, Christians are to insist on the personal moral integrity of our leaders as a key component of the qualities of a good leader.
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